It’s an announcement that Stevenson Memorial Hospital has been waiting for as the Province of Ontario announces funding to build a new hospital in New Tecumseth that would see the current hospital expanded to three floors. Premier Doug Ford along with Deputy Premier and the Minister of Health Sylvia Jones were both on hand for the groundbreaking. With the groundbreaking, the province also announced $174 million going towards the project that is expected to be completed in 2028. New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross said a new hospital is important for the community. “It’s a need, it’s a must, we have to have it,” said Norcross. “We are a growing community and we have to have these services here. People moving here want these services and we have to be able to provide them.” Premier Ford said it’s special when announcing funding for a hospital especially in smaller but growing communities like New Tecumseth. “This is the community, these are people that live down the street, little businesses,” said Ford. Carmine Stumpo, supervisor at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, said the building will increase as will the services including nine new inpatient beds bringing a total number from 38 to 47. A new emergency department will be triple the size of the current emergency room. In addition, there will be expanded diagnostic, surgical services and more. “We are building a new birthing suite that allows us to support mothers and their families much more effectively,” said Stumpo. “We will be improving our operating rooms as state-of-the-art facilities.” This brand-new facility will allow residents to get proper care closer to home. “New Tecumseth is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. Similarly, our emergency department volumes have grown well more than our original capacity,” said Stumpo. “Expansion will more than double the size of our hospital, transform it into a modern, state-of-the-art health care facility providing health care services that individuals and families need close to home.” The funding announcement of $174 million dollars comes as Stevenson Memorial Hospital continues to work on its brand new helicopter pad slated to be complete later this year.
